Steinert snaps 8-game losing streak
HAMILTON » When a team is struggling to score, sometimes it needs a break to get it kick started.
Steinert’s boys soccer team got a couple Thursday night, getting two goals off rebounds to take a 3-2 win over Hamilton West at Veterans Park’s Cowell Field.
In snapping an eight-game losing streak, the Spartans (5-9-1) scored three goals for the first time since Sep. 11. Steinert had just four goals during the eight losses, and their last win also came at Cowell Field on Sep. 15.
Junior Billy Jones picked the right time to score his first varsity goal, which came with 13:20 remaining for the game-winner. Adrian Strawinski took the initial shot and Giuseppe Scordato made yet another outstanding save, but could not control the rebound. It went right to Jones, who slotted it from inside the box.
“I was just there to finish it off,” Jones said. “It rolled out to me and it was there.”
The goal capped a back and forth game between the two ancient rivals, who have scuffled for victories this year.
Hamilton (1-11), which has dropped five straight, took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute when Adam Edders scored on a long shot that squeezed under the crossbar. The Spartans tied it with 13:47 left in the half on a goal reminiscent of Jones’. Strawinski’s shot was saved by Scordato, but Justin Brunow rifled in the rebound.
“We were in the right place at the right time, that’s what happens,” Brunow said.
“They did a good job of cleaning up,” Hamilton coach Chris Morales said. “They had a nose for goal today. I know they’ve been having trouble scoring, so for them to come out and score three, they were hungry.”
Steinert stunned the Hornets after intermission when Frank DiNatale scored off a feed from Sam Cohen to make it 2-1 just 42 seconds into the half. DiNatale just missed another one moments later when defender Steven Mizsak blocked a shot just in front of the goal. Shortly after that, Scordato made the save of the night when Brunow took a cross from Jake DiChiara but had a point-blank shot deflected at the last second.
“All season he’s kept us in quite a few games,” Morales said. “He’s always good for a couple of big saves. We know we can always trust him to make a few big ones.”
Bolstered by their keeper, Hamilton tied it with 23:06 remaining on long shot by Richet Barchue. After Jones’ goal, Hamilton had a final opportunity when Barchue sent one across an empty goal area that was cleared from danger by Brandon Jones.
“It was intense tonight,” Billy Jones said. “These rivalry games are always like this.”
The Spartans just hope it’s something they can build on.
“It’s a good feeling to finally win,” Brunow said. “We haven’t really been playing our best, but we came out tonight and played a good game and grounded out that victory. It was a big back and forth game. It was intense, but it was a great team effort and we played good.”
Follow Rich Fisher on twitter @ fish4scores
Steinert (5-9-1) Hamilton (1-11) Goals —
Brunow, DiNatale, Jones (S), Edders, Barchue (H).
Cohen (S), Barchue (H).
12 (S), 4 (H).
Kozemchak 2 (S), Scordato 8 (H).
Assists — Shots — Saves — 12— 11— 3 2